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cd/mp3 player for 2002 passat 1.8t gls

8.8K views 12 replies 6 participants last post by  ifreereg  
#1 ·
can anyone recommend a cd/mp3 player for my 2002 passat 1.8t gls. the car is currently equipped w/ a cd player (and radio combo) which can play a regular audio cd (cda files) only. i want to burn some mp3 to cd or dvd so that i can enjoy them in the car.

and how to hook up the cd/mp3 player to be recommended? any good satellite radio recommended also?

thanks a lot!
 
#2 ·
I went thru Crutchfield.com and installed a Kenwood. Very easy install as they supply you with all the info and know how you need. Good prices too. I let the stock Monsoon amp power my interior speakers, and bought another amp to push a 10" sub. Great sound.
Good luck.
 
#3 ·
#6 ·
I have the same car with Monsoon and installed the Kenwood eXcelon KDC-X492 from Crutchfield. Easy. Works great with Ipod. Adds 25wpc I think it was.

Now I want to replace speakers. Anyone have advice on that? I especially find the front tweeters to be harsh and the midrange speakers to be.... not so great (technical term).
 
#7 ·
thank you all very much for the informative and quick replies! i got the how-to and brands from you for my $200 budget.

i have a double din (cd+radio combo) type. is there anyway to connect my external mp3 players (like ipod) to it? if so that will be great to plug in my player when i am in the car and take it w/ me when i go out. in other words, is it possible to add a line-in/jack to (the current double din station in) my car? thanks a lot!
 
#9 ·
You have several good options

Yes you can use blitzsafe (VAGguy gave a link that includes these and other options). One model is made to easily connect in your trunk and you need to route the ipod jack to the front seat. Another is made to connect to the back of the radio but you have to remove the radio. Blitzsafe is the cheapest quality solution I am aware of that will hardwire your Ipod to your stock stereo.

You can also use something like a USAspec model that is more money but has more features (http://www.usaspec.com/ipod.html). It should also be plug-and-play after you remove the stereo to attach it.

I don't remember all the pros and cons of each solution, but after I considered these options I decided to pay $140 (with $20 coupon) for a top quality Kenwood radio/CD player that also plugs in to an ipod and will charge it, play it, and show song information on it. If you buy a car stereo from Crutchfield, they include all you need to install it to your car and instructions. It's no more work than installing the other solutions as you have to pull out the radio either way (which is easy). All I lost is the stereo controls on the steering wheel. A well laid out stereo is so easy to use that losing the steering wheel function did not matter to me. I gained more power, better sound, better radio reception, more features, and of course the ipod connection that also charges the ipod. I can also add HD Radio, Satellite Radio, and Bluetooth to the Kenwood (though either would approximately double the cost).
 
#11 ·
You need a "dash pocket". Crutchfield includes ALL you need, including the pocket. Go to the car audio section and look for "outfit my car". You enter your car and crutchfield filters for stereos that do/don't fit your car. You can also find a link to see what they will send with the purchased stereo to complete the installation. Once you get to a list of stereos that work for your car, you can find a link to the left to filter for stereos that include a built in "ipod connection".
 
#12 ·
But those are the crappy universal pockets, which I have used and they kinda suck. For the OE VW one, search thru Enfig.com It's in there under installation accessories or something.